The European Sea Ports Organisation has voiced strong concerns following the International Maritime Organisation’s decision to delay adoption of its Net-Zero Framework by one year.

The decision, made during the Marine Environment Protection Committee meeting in London, is seen as a setback for global climate ambitions and the maritime decarbonisation agenda.

The NZF was expected to set a global baseline for greenhouse gas emission reductions in shipping, including a fuel standard and carbon pricing mechanism. ESPO believes the delay prolongs regulatory fragmentation and disadvantages ports and shipping companies operating under stricter regional regimes, such as the EU’s.